Defections Won’t Destroy PDP, But Party Must Rethink Strategy for 2027 – Gov Oborevwori

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has weighed in on the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), making it clear that these political shifts are not enough to dismantle the PDP, though they do raise concerns ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum in Asaba on Thursday, Oborevwori responded to rising speculation that the movement of key PDP members to the APC—some from Delta State—was part of a larger effort to weaken the party. He dismissed those claims as exaggerated and politically driven. “Let me be clear,” the governor asserted. “The PDP is not a party that can be destroyed by the decisions of a few individuals seeking political survival or personal advancement. We have deep roots across Nigeria. Defections may create ripples, but they cannot wash away the foundation we have built over the decades.”

A Shifting Political Landscape

In recent months, several high-ranking PDP figures—including former governors, lawmakers, and party operatives—have joined the APC. Many cited dissatisfaction with PDP leadership, unresolved internal disputes, and uncertainty about the party’s direction as reasons for their exit. Among the most prominent was a former PDP National Vice Chairman who officially crossed over to the APC at a rally in Abuja.

The defections have intensified debates about the PDP’s future, especially as the APC appears to be gaining ground in regions like the South-South, traditionally considered PDP territory.

Despite the growing concerns, Governor Oborevwori insisted that these moves should not be seen as a death sentence for the PDP. He described the defections as “individual choices” that do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the general population or party base. However, his remarks also hinted at the need for the PDP to strengthen its internal cohesion and sharpen its strategy as 2027 draws closer.